Child&#39;s feeding tray



Nov. 21, 1950 L. E. SHELDON 2,530,736

CHILDS FEEDING TRAY Filed Nov. 9, 194a Ftcil. P

m 3 JNVENTOR.

Lloyd ES/Zddorv.

ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 21, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHILDS FEEDING TRAY Lloyd E. Sheldon, Saguache, 0010.

Application November 9, 1948, Serial No. 59,110

the receptacle having means associated there with, whereby it may be clamped to a suitable support.

While the devices of the prior art no doubt function for their intended purposes, they are open to certain objections which are inherent in their basic designs. Trays or dishes formed with recessed portions to receive food are easily over-turned since it is not contemplated that they be locked or otherwise fastened to their supports; additionally, when used as a childsfeeding device, it is possible for the child, if left unattended, to mix the foods contained in the recessed portions, since the dividers or partitions between the portions are substantially continuous and of limited height. Feeding devices of the type designed for clamping to a support, as far as I am aware, consist essentially of unitary structure, that is to say, a recessed dish having compartments adapted to receive foods, the food containing portions being integral with the body of the dish. In these devices, effective clamping of the dish to its support is obtained, however, the food contained in the recesses may be readily mixed or splashed from an individual recess.

After considerable research and experimentation, I have found that improved results, from the standpoint of feeding technique, and elimination of the possibility of deliberate or accidental over-turning of dishes or containers by a child, can be obtained by locking the individual dishes within recessed portions of the tray, and providing means whereby the tray may be securely clamped or otherwise attached to its support.

Accordingly, the device of the present inven tion consists essentially of a tray having a centrally recessed portion, the sides of said portion being grooved, and adapted to receive complementary tongue members formed on the containers, the containers being constructed and arranged. to slide lengthwise of the tray frame, into the desired feeding position. Means are provided for locking the containers against lengthwise movement and the beverage cup or 6 Claims. (Cl. 65-54) glass is locked within its recess so that the child cannot remove it from the tray, without assistance from an attendant.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved tray.

Another object of my invention is to provide a tray arrangement adapted for use with a childs high-chair.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a tray structure, constructed and arranged whereby dishes and/or other food and beverage containers may be secured to the tray in a manvide an improved tray arrangement wherein the.

dishes and/or other containers are detachably secured to the body of the tray.

,A further object of my invention is to provide an improved tray adapted for use with a childs high-chair wherein the dishes and/or other containers are securely held in desired position, against accidental tipping, and are easily removable from the tray for washing, cleaning or other purposes.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved tray structure, which is strong and rugged in construction, quickly and easily applied to or removed from a high-chair or the like, and not liable to get out of order even after long and continued use.

With these and other objects in view, which may be incident to my improvements, the invention consists in the parts and combinations to be hereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding that the several necessary elements, comprising my invention may be varied in construction, proportions and arrangements,

without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

In order to make the invention more clearly understood, I have shown in the accompanying drawing means for carrying the same into practical effect, without limiting the improvements in their useful applications to the particular constructions, which for the purpose of explanation, have been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the improved childs- Fig. 4 is a sectional view along line 44 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown a childs feeding device comprising a tray portion designated generally by numeral I, having suitable dishes or other food receptacles 2 and 3, and a beverage glass 4, positioned therein. As will be seen in Figs. 1 and 3, the tray portion comprises a base 5, vertical side members 6, and a semi-circular shaped end 1, forming a closure at one end of the tray, the opposite end thereof being open. The side members 5 (Figs. 3 and 4) are provided with longitudinal grooves 8, adapted to receive complementary tongues 9, formed on the food receptacles, which are adapted to be slidably inserted through the open end of the tray, to the position shown in Fig. 1. By means of this tongue and groove arrangement the food receptacles or containers are prevented from moving vertically with respect to the tray, and accordingly, the contents of the containers cannot be spilled by accidentally overturning an individual container.

In order to prevent movement of the containers lengthwise of the tray, after they have been properly positioned therein, the receptacle 3, which normally occupies a position at the open end of the tray, is formed with a recessed portion it (Fig. 2) adapted to receive the end portion ll of a spring pressed finger I2, constructed and arranged to enter the recess l9, through a suitable opening formed in the bottom of the tray. The finger l2 may be conveniently urged into seated position by means of a flat spring member M (Fig. 3), having one end attached to the bottom of the tray, as at l5.

It will be seen that the dishes or food receptacles are securely locked within the tray portion of the device in a manner designed to prevent accidental over-turning of the dishes while the child is eating, and that arrangement is such that the receptacles may be quickly and easily removed from the tray portion, for washing, cleaning or other purposes.

In connection with the construction of the end portion i of the tray, it will be noted that it is hollow, the top wall thereof being formed with a substantially circular shaped cut-out portion through which the base I6 of the glass 4 may be inserted and restrained against accidental over-turning. In order to retain the glass within the pocket thus formed at the end of the tray, the glass may be provided with suitable projections or lugs 87, insertable through slots or other openings 8, at diametrically opposite points of the circular cut-out portion in the top wall of end member I. After the glass has been positioned within the pocket, it may be rotated slightly to displace the lugs I! from registry with openings l8. By reason of this construction, the glass is retained in its normal position on the tray against accidental over-turning, manipulation of the glass to bring the lugs into registry being suificiently difficult to prevent its removal by the average child.

The food receiving portions of the receptacles 2 and 3 may be of any desired shape or configuration. As here shown, receptacle 2 is formed with a circular shaped recessed portion i9, while receptacle 3 is formed with a generally rectangular shaped recess 20, divided into compartments 2!, by means of partition members 22. The food receptacles may be molded from a suitable plastic, each container or receptacle comprising a base 23, side walls 24, end walls 25, and a top wall 26, the walls of the receptacle and the wall or walls of the depressed food receiving portions 59 and 2E}, defining a cavital portion therebetween, adapted to contain a suitable liquid 21, preferably water, the temperature of which is of sufficient degree to maintain the food at desired temperature during the eating period. Hot water or other liquid may be introduced into the cavity through an opening formed in the top wall, the openingbeing rovided with a suitable stopper or closure member 28.

In addition to supporting the dishes in a manner calculated to prevent accidental over-turning thereof, it is desirable that the tray portion, within which the dishes are positioned, be adapted for attachment to a suitable support, for example, to the shelf or tray member of a babys high-chair, top of a small table, stand or the like. Accordingly, I have provided fastening means in the form of a C-clamp 29, made from spring material, having its support contacting portion covered with rubber or other material 30, to prevent scratching or marring of the surface of the support to which the tray is attached. The present invention also comprehends the provision of a cushion or pad, not shown, for the base of the tray to prevent marring of the surface upon which the device is supported, and to compensate for unevenness in levelling the tray by reason of irregularities in a specific support, or additional clearance required for the end dish retaining means.

It will be appreciated that all of the component parts of the feeding device disclosed herein may be formed from plastic or from a combination of plastic and other materials. For example, the tray member may be formed from wood and the dishes or receptacles formed from plastic. It is also contemplated that various color combinations will be used in making up the parts of the device so that it will present a pleasing and attractive appearance.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I Wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details of construction herein set forth, by way of illustration, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may be made therein, by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A tray of the character described comprising a base, vertical side members, and an end member forming a closure at one end or" the tray, the opposite end of the tray being open, whereby a receptacle for food may be slidably inserted between the side members, each of the side me: bers having a longitudinal groove former therein adapted to receive a complementary tongue attached to the receptacle, a food receptacle supported on the base of the tray between said side members, said receptacle having a tongue member at either side thereof seated in a corresponding groove of a side member, and means mounted upon the base releasably engageable with the receptacle to prevent withdrawal of the receptacle from the tray.

2. A tray of the character described comprising a base, vertical side members, and an end member forming a closure at one end of the tray, the opposite end of the tray being open, whereby a receptacle for food may be slidably ins rted 76 between the side members, each of the side members having a longitudinal groove formed therein adapted to receive a complementary tongue attached to the receptacle, a plurality of food receptacles arranged in tandem and supported on the base of the tray between said side members, each of said receptacles having a tongue member at either side thereof seated in a corresponding groove of a side member, and means mounted upon the base releasably engageable with the receptacle at the open end of the tray to prevent withdrawal of the receptacle from the tray.

3. A tray of the character described comprising a base, vertical side members, and an end member forming a closure at one end of the tray, the opposite end of the tray being open, whereby a receptacle for food may be slidably inserted between the side members, each of the side members having a longitudinal groove formed therein adapted to receive a complementary tongue attached to the receptacle, a food receptacle supported on the base between said side members, comprising a base, side and end walls and a top wall, the top wall being formed with a centrally recessed portion adapted to receive food, said base, side and end walls, and adjacent walls of the recessed portion defining a cavity adapted to contain liquid at elevated temperature, whereby to maintain food placed in the recessed portion at desired temperature during the feeding period, said receptacle having a tongue member formed at either side thereof seated in a corresponding groove of a side member of the tray, and means mounted upon the base of the tray, releasably engageable with the receptacle to prevent withdrawal of the receptacle from the tray.

4. A tray of the character described comprising a base, vertical side members, and an end member forming a closure at one end of the tray, the opposite end of the tray being open, whereby a receptacle for food may be slidably inserted between the side members, each of the side members having a longitudinal groove formed therein adapted to receive a complementary tongue attached to the receptacle, a plurality of food receptacles arranged in tandem and supported on 5 the base of the tray between said side members, each of said containers comprising a base, side and end walls and a top wall, the top wall being formed with a centrally recessed portion adapted to receive food, said base, side and end walls, and adjacent walls of the recessed portion defining a cavity adapted to contain liquid at elevated temperature, whereby to maintain food placed in the recessed portion at desired temperature during the feeding period, each of said receptacles having a tongue member formed at either side thereof seated in a corresponding groove of a side member of the tray, and means mounted upon the base of the tray, releasably engageable with the receptacle at the open end of the tray to prevent withdrawal of the receptacles from the tray.

5. A tray of the character described comprising a base, vertical side members, and an end member forming a closure at one end of the tray, the opposite end of the tray being open, whereby a receptacle for food may be slidably inserted between the side members, each of the side members having a longitudinal groove formed therein adapted to receive a complementary tongue attached to the receptacle, 2. food receptacle supported on the base of the tray between said side members, said receptacle having a tongue member at either side thereof seated in a corresponding groove of a side member, means mounted upon the base, releasably engageable with the receptacle to prevent withdrawal of the receptacle from the tray, and means to securely clamp the tray to a suitable support.

6. A tray of the character described comprising a base, vertical side members, and an end member forming a closure at one end of the tray, the opposite end of the tray being open, whereby a receptacle for food may be slidably inserted between the side members, each of the side members having a longitudinal groove formed therein adapted to receive a complementary tongue attached to the receptacle, a plurality of food receptacles arranged in tandem and supported on the base of the tray between said side members, each of said containers comprising a base, side and end walls and a top wall, the top wall being formed with a centrally recessed portion adapted to receive food, said base, side and end walls, and adjacent walls of the recessed portion defining a cavity adapted to contain liquid at elevated temperature, whereby to maintain food placed in the recessed portion at desired temperature during the feeding period, each of said receptacles having a tongue member formed at either side thereof seated in a corresponding groove of a side member of the tray, means mounted upon the base of the tray, releasably engageable with the receptacle at the open end of the tray to prevent withdrawal of the receptacles from the tray, and means to securely clamp the tray to a suitable support.

LLOYD E. SHELDON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 38,519 Waterman May 12, 1863 402,788 Wagandt May 7, 1889 529,526 Gaskill Nov. 20, 1894 549,278 Ryan Nov. 5, 1895 918,928 Thomas Apr. 20, 1909 982,351 Cree Jan. 24, 1911 1,202,816 Drake Oct. 31, 1916 1,242,785 Eldridge Oct. 9, 1917 1,297,115 Dulac Mar. 11, 1919 1,511,265 Chilson Oct. 14, 1924 1,694,957 Weir Dec. 11, 1928 2,353,383 Bartsch July 11, 1944 2,481,544 Waggoner Sept. 13, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 2,406 Great Britain Jan. 29, 1913 500,752 Great Britain Feb. 15, 1929 284,922 Germany June 10, 1915 

